July 22, 2005
Statewide Survey Looks At Idaho’s Disabled Population
A statewide survey commissioned by the Idaho’s State Independent Living Council (SILC) and conducted by Boise State University’s Social Science Research Center shows that more than 44 percent of Idaho households include someone with a disability. Almost 37 percent of households have at least one adult meeting the criteria of a person with a disability.
Results of the survey were released today during a press conference at the SILC council meeting held at the ParkCenter Red Lion in Boise. Release of the study, titled “Assessment of Idahoans with Disabilities,” coincides with the upcoming 15-year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This is the only survey of the general adult population in Idaho to focus on the incidence of people with disabilities and their specific issues. The survey, which follows a similar survey in 1995, polled 9,027 households in December 2004. Of the 1,216 respondents who said their household included someone with a disability, 585 adults completed a more comprehensive survey specific to disabled adults.
One of the most surprising findings was that more than 76 percent of disabled respondents indicated they had voted in an election held during the last year, surpassing the approximately 60 percent of the general public that voted.
Of the thirteen specific disability categories outlined in the survey, mental illness was the most commonly reported at 19.2 percent, followed by difficulty walking (15.1 percent) and learning disorders (14.3 percent). As expected, as the population ages, the frequency of disabilities increases along with the incidence of multiple disabilities per person. Other information contained in the report includes the following:
- 15 percent of respondents identified access to services and places as the most significant problem for people with disabilities
- 27 percent of respondents worked full time (after exclusion of retirees)
- 43 percent of respondents postponed medical care one or more times in the last year
- 83 percent of respondents live very independently or somewhat independently
Statistical information from the survey will assist the SILC and other organizations in advocating for enhanced independence for people living with disabilities, and inform public policy work across the state.
Boise State’s Carole Nemnich and Brad Smith administered the survey.
Contact: Kelly Buckland, Executive Director Idaho State Independent Living Council, (208) 334-3800, .
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Relations, (208) 426-3275, .
